An unforgettable road trip requires plenty of preparation, so what do you need to do?
Get your car ready for the trip
- Stereo system – You will spend lots of time on driving, which easily get tired and bored, then how you keep yourself awake and engaged? Installing a multifunctional touch screen Android radio is best. You can listen to music, apply Carplay, use navigation, connect backup camera and so on, to have fun and keep safe drive.
- Tires – Check your tires for wear and tear. If needed, go ahead and replace them before your trip. And get tires to match the conditions. If you’re going to be staying mostly on the highway, then a pair of highway tires will be the quietest and get you the best mileage. If you’re going to be spending some time on dirt roads, then I’d recommend all-terrain tires, which will offer significantly better traction.
- Engine and brakes – Check the health of your engine, your brakes, and your heating and cooling system.
- Lights – Check all your lights and replace any that appear to be dim or dying.
- Wiper blades – If your wiper blades are looking a bit ragged, don’t wait to replace them. You’ll thank yourself when the weather turns ugly.
- Battery – Check the health of your battery. Replace if needed.
- Wiper fluid – For winter trips, make sure that you have wiper fluid rated to -40 degrees F (-40 C).
- Motor oil – If you’re going to be traveling through cold places, consider getting an oil change. And if you do, ask for a more winter-friendly oil (motor oils are rated by their viscosity levels at different temperatures) that still works with your specific engine. You may need to refer to your owner’s manual.
Must things to pack for your trip
Whenever you plan to go for a road trip, there are always good to have these things in your vehicle.
- Flashlights – Have at least two in your car, and do yourself a favor: Make one of them a headlamp.
- Food and water – If you get stuck in the snow, you will likely need some calories to sustain you. Look for non-perishable items that also won’t freeze into a brick. Because water most certainly will freeze into a brick, I’d recommend keeping spare bottles in the car instead of in the trunk.
- Road flares – If you end up with a dead car on the side of the road in the middle of a storm, you want your car to be as visible as humanly possible so a driver (or a snow plow) doesn’t hit you. Road flares are cheap and highly visible. Use ‘em!
- Jumper cables – Having one set of these can save you a lot of time waiting for a tow truck.
- First aid kit – This is something you should always keep in your car in case of a minor accident.
- Car charger and portable USB power pack – You likely already have some way to charge your phone in your car. If you don’t, get one. Additionally, carry a portable USB power pack to charge your phone and other gadgets should your car’s electrical system go out.
- Spare batteries – For anything that takes batteries (flashlights, your car’s key fob, etc.).
- Multitool – In addition to the tools you hopefully have for maintaining your car (a cheap socket set, a jack, a tire iron, etc.), it’s good to have a multitool for working on smaller things. It can be helpful for cooking, repairs, and even medical work.
- Blankets and warm clothes – Got an old, heavy winter jacket that’s too ugly to wear in public? Keep it in the trunk! Add some warm gloves and a rain poncho as well.
